Free pallet conveyors



May 12,1959 J. G. KAY ET AL 2,385,969

FREE PALLETCONVEYORS Filed April 26, 195'? v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

y 2, 1959 J. G. KAY ET AL 2,885,969

FREE PALLET CONVEYORS 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1957 INVENTORJ 70712765 k 12nd AW BY Odd 45%? 1 5 i/Me y 12, 9 J. G. KAY ET AL 2,885,969

FREE PALLET CONVEYORS Filed April 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

INVENTORS 767,216: K

BY owaZ A o v wrifiaw k y 1959 J. G. KAY ET AL 2,885,969

. FREE PALLET CONVEYORS Filed April 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 "Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Mich, as-

signors to F. Jos. Lamb Company, Warren Township,

Macomb County, Mich., a corporation of Michigan 1 Application April 26, 1957, Serial No. 655,133 r 3 v is iii Claims. ((11.104-172) invention relates to improvements in free pallet conveyors. At the present time free pallet and Orval A. Op er-thauser,

conveyors are in use 3 3,jrespectively, of Figure 1. i

wherein conveyor chains are provided at spaced intervals with carriers which are spring urged totheir operative positions to engage latches on pallets and movethe latter withthe chains. In such an arrangement, however, if a pallet is held stationary for any cause, such as for loading or unloading, passing carriers are forced by the latch on the stationary pallet to their inoperative positions against the tension of their springs, and after passing the latch, the carriers are returned to their operative positions by their springs. This form of construction is open to several objections. For instance the constant movement of the carriers from one position to another imposes a serve strain upon them which often results in defective operation and spring breakage; again the con stant clatter as the carriers move from one position to the other creates a very objectional noise factor.

It is an object of the invention to provide a free palletconveyor 'wherein the carriers are so mounted on the,

chain that the use of springs for returning them to their v is Patented May 12,1 95? Figures '2 and 3 .are sections on thelines 2-2 of the conveyor including one pallet, and a a Figure 5 is a side view thereof. a a Figure 6 is an end view of a pallet ona reduced scale. Figure 7 is a partialend view showing, a pallet at an other position along the conveyor. Figure 8 is. a detail showing a vertically adjustable trip, and 1 Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. Figures 10 and 11 are diagrams showing the electrical circuits employed in connection with the loadersand unloaders, respectively.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a portion Figure 12 is a side elevation showing a modified form, of the; conveyor, and

Figure 13 is, an end. view.

15-15, and 16--16, respectively, of Figure 12. J a,

Referring first to Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, A designates a conveyor comprising aframe-which inclues two parallel rows of uprights2 arranged in opposed pairs.

Extending between and secured at their extremities to the pairs of uprights are braces 3. Suitably supported on the latter are spaced parallel guides 4 upon and. be-.

tween which an endless conveyor chain 5, #which may be driven in any conventional manner (not show) is adapted to travel and pivotally secured upon the chain at required intervals to suit operating conditions are: carriers 6. Supported also on the uprights 2 are tracks 7 consisting in this instance of parallel angle members. i

Mounted on the pallets 10 are front and rear axles having wheels 12 thereon adapted to travel along the tracks7 in the direction of the arrow B, Figure 5.. 7 Since all the pallets are the same I will now describe one of them. 1

operative position is eliminated. Thus doing away with.

a major cause of shut-downs for repairs, and materially reducing noise caused by operation of the conveyor. 1 p a This invention also aims to provide a free pallet conveyor. wherein a continuously travelling chain has carriers 1 so pivoted thereon that they tend to remain immovable relative to and against the chain in position to engage.

weighted that they tend to reassume their latch engaging is turned to its position 18' by continued travel of its.

positions.

, Other objects of the inventionare to provide a free pallet conveyor wherein releasable means including a lever are. pivoted on each pallet for normally holding its latch. in its carrier engaging position; wherein the lever of each' pallet is adapted to be tripped by a projection on the pallet in front ,as. one pallet approaches a preceding one,

whereby the releasable means disengages its latch so that the carrier by which that pallet was being advanced continues its travel and the pallet remains stationary; and wherein the releasable means and the latches are each so tions. l i

A further object of the inventionis to provide a free. pallet conveyor wherein coacting means are provided on the conveyor and the pallets for actuating loading and unloading mechanisms when the pallets are properly located, relative thereto; and for stopping and starting the pallets in timed relationtothe. operation of the mechamsms.

dons thereof extending pasta loader and an unloader.

Figure ljis a plan view of the invention showing pore.

Rotatably supported on the pallet 10 is a transverse shaft 14 having a lever 15 and a locking arm 16 secured thereonfor rotation therewith. The locking arm 16 has a transversez step 17 extending across its underside which normally engages the rear upper extremity of a latch 18 pivoted on the front. axle 11. The latch is of increased weight adjacent its lower extremity so that it tends to. assume the vertical position shown in Figures 5 and 6; and when it is engaged by the step 17 it is held against rotation in an anti-clockwise direction, Figure}. Then.

the latch is adapted to be engaged by a carrier 6 and the pallet is moved along the tracks 7 by the chain 5. When the locking arm 16 is turned about its axis, as hereinafter described, to disengage the latch 18, the latter carrier and the latter passes beneath the latch while the pallet remains stationary. 19, denotes ajstop, integral in the present instance; with the locking arm, to limit, the. pivotal movement of the latch 18. i

Each pivoted carrier 6 includes a forwardly and upwardly extending extremity 6a to engage a latch 18, and

a rearward extremityu6b which is heavier than theextremity' 6a and normally rests upon the chain 5. The pivotal mounting16c of the carriers permits them to be turned in a clockwise direction, Figure 5, if a pallet is moved to weighted that they tend to return to their operative posi- 1 the right pastone or more of them.

Thefront extremity of the lever 15, which projects in front of. the pallet 10, is forwardly and upwardly inclined, and formingpart of each pallet is a rearward projection 20. As a second pallet approachesa stationary one from behind, the rear projection 20 on the stationary pallet contacts the front extremity of the lever'15 on the followingpallet and moves the latterto its position 15', Figure 5, thereby turning the locking arm 16 thereon to release its latch ls so that carriers may pass. The following pallet then remains stationary until the preceding one has movedforwardstifiiciently to permit the lever oiith'erear' pallet andits lockingvarmto drop back to their operative positions whe iieupon the latch on the rear pallet, is again held immovable to be. advanced by one ofthecarriers'6; It'willb 'ted'that thejleveri is, so proportioned and weighted thatitnaturally reassumes it'siio'rin'al po'sition as s'o'on as-itisfree to do' sof. I

Mounted upon" and extending? across: the ltopi" of: ;the pallet intermediately ofits lengthlare' spaced; par 11.61 wear strips 2 1 to receive aiworkpiece (not' shown') ;-and e ittending upwardly across the palletyadjacentits, opposite extremities are front andrearguidemeinbers'ZZf'haVing' locating strips '23- on their'inner faces to support a workpiece upon thewear strips against material longitudinal" movemehtm Thej outerface of the lever 15 at its rear extrem tyis upwardly andinwardly' inclinedto form a (ramming-"face 1541 which, is located longitudinally'betweena the"we ar strips above the top ofthepallet; 'so1that when a lo'cator 24, hereinafter referred to, is moved'late rgally'inward across the camming face, the rear," extremity- 'of the lever isdepressed thereby movingit to its latch releasing-positionlST. a t

' Formed in one side of' one off the wear-strips 21 isa recess 25 extending transversely-of the pallet to receive aftrip' 26"," which, inter-mediately'- of: its lengthgis pivoted on a'pin 27-extending throughthe recessed strip-" Whenthe: pallet is loaded and; a: workpiece restingonthe I wear strips ,the inner extremity: of the tripis depressed"; as shown in Figure 6, thereby holdingthe outer-extremitythereof" in' its raised" position to actuate a limit-switch 2'8frn'ounted on-the frame-of the conveyor A. Dueto'the fact that the outer extremity of" the trip 26 eXten'dsfarthrfrom-its axis and is heavier thanitsinnerextre'rnity, when the pallet is unloaded the inner' extremity of -the trip 'movesupwardlyand a stop-29 pr'ojeetin'g therefrotn engages'the underside of the adjacent wear strip? Their the outer extremity ofthe trip hasdropped-correspond? ingly and ispositioned to engage a limit switch" 30 mounted on the frame of the conveyor A at a lower" elevation than'the switch 28. Thelimit switches-*2 8"and 30- are'mounted; on the conveyor frame substantially op posite anunloader- C' and a loader D; 'resp'ect'ively;and theupper face of the'trip 26 is so-shaped that-'it'may-hereadily depressed bya workpiece as" the latter' is 'being slid ac'ross'the wear strips 21 from either side ofth'e" p'alle't.

Mounted also on the pallet is apost 31', shown indetail tin-Figures 8 and 9, having a vertical keyslot 32* formed" therein from its upper'extremityandextending around" the post from they slot 32' are a plurality-- of vertically spaced 'segmental grooves-33' each terminating'at its outer eXtremity in a depressed recess 34; Mounted on: thepost-31 is a ring 35 having an inwardly projectingkey- 36 therein slid'able lin the slot 32 and adapted 'to-be' moved circularly aroundfone of 'the grooves :33 to engagethe recesst34 therein, by which the ring is adapted to be -i held against accidentalrotationi 'Formedtintegral with the ring 35 and projecting radiallyl therefrom' is a mp: arm 37'; Mounted for vertical adjustment-on-the 'fraine ofthe conveyor Aiopposite amunloader Qtoruloader' D, is: a-'-1imitswitch 381which. may betverticallyiadjusted? to" beiengaged bysthei trip arm: 37'. The: purpose o-f thiskf arfa'ngementiis: that: whenia' number of different: unload -asemee v a I if The loader D, which is also shown in Figure 3, inlclud'es "a lower guide 40 extendingar right angles nonione side of the conveyor Al; and mounted above and in vertical alignment with the lower guide is an upper guide 41 which also projects over the conveyor. On the opposite side of the latter inalignment with the guides is a table 42. Secured uponthe'upper guide is a double acting cylinde'n43 haviirg'z at pistomthereintj'from which a piston rod 44 projects. Mounted formreciprocation on,

loaded on'to apalletI101*iSpIaeed uponL'theLtablei tl, sin, in order to properly position a pallet to receive it, a locator 24 is inounted upon" andi 'projeets forwardly from the slide 45. Theouter lateral marginsoflhe locator are forwardly and inwardly inclined so -that as it is advanced between the wear strips 21 it moves the pallet to its correct loading position along the tracks 7, The fronttof the heater 24 contacts the 'oammingfaceIS'a before it travels. between the wear strips and depresses the rear" of' 'the lever 15 thereby releasing the, latch ISsdthat it may swingv freely' about its axis and allowcarri'e'r'sto travel past it. Thus outward movement" ofthe'piston rod 44 and locator' 24 stops the pallet and 'positions fit,

loading: During that rnovement'a hook47 suitably mounted onthe-slide is advanced" aciossthe conveyor tcg engagea workpiece E ontthetable 42" so that upon; thefreturn stroke ofthe piston rod':44* the: workpice'is pulled onto the-wear strips to' its position EE, after-which" th'e' h'ookis' released therefrom in the conventional manher a carnmingmember48;

The-pistbn inthe cylinder 43* may be" either 119 draulically 0r'pneumati'cally operated; Connectedto op positeextremitiesof'the cylinder are suitable lines '5 a'nfd 52' which are also connected to-a conventional sol n'oid operated control valve 50"having-a springretn which is-mounted on the loader. From the"valve"50fa' line 5-3 also-extends to a source of fluid pressure; such as compressed" air. Mounted on the slide 45 is' a trip "[541 and secured on the guide 40* to be actuatedby the sa'id trip When' -itreaches the conveyor end of it's-strokei"is"a* lifnit switch 56. When the valve is actuated to' adtnif fluid underpressurethrough the line 52- into the cylinder 43 the-slide is-moved until thetrip 54-engages'the lirnit switch' 56 whereupon the spring return'in the valve 50"- closesthe-latterto the line 52 and opens it"tO theline SI whereby the direction of'movement of'the-piston r0 is; reversed; When-this type of valve" 50 is employedthe' fluid pressure retainsthe pistonrod' iat= its-inward pee 'tion inure-c linder until the valve isagain-actuatedr I When both the limit switches 28 and 38' on'thebon veyor frame opposite that=loader are closed a relay cir oult hereinafter described, which includes thecontrol valve: 50;- isenergized; Moreover wlu'le' theswitch '3'8" and its trip arm 37 may be omitted if it is desif and it will be understood that while only oneloaderDi and'l one' unloader"C are shown, it is customary to arranges severaliof each-inarow; 7 'The unloaderC, shown in Figures l and'2; includes-w guidei40lz upon whicha double acting cylinder-Midis mounted: Extending from the pi ston in the eylir'ider' a rod =44Z1 "which is connected to-aslide- 45iz rnoiiiited" for reciprocation on the guide. Carried by the slide-anti projecting forwardly: therefrom isa locaton'24 for-contacting:the .camtming face 15a on the pallet to stopthe latter;

' and aiso for engagingthe wear strip thereonand prope'rly' locating-it for unloading. Projecting forwardly frbtrfitli? slide 43a' are" pads 47a to engage a workpiece orrthe wear-'stripsa-nd push it off onto a" rack"42z'z 5 Orr ii frame of the unloader a solenoid operated controlvalve" and 521; to uoppositeends of the cylinder. 43a; the valve 50aeis also connected by a line 53a-to a source of-fluid 1 under pressure. Mounted on the slide a is a trip. 54a

andsecured on the guide 40a to be actuated thereby. when the slide reaches the conveyor end of its stroke a is a limit switch 56a. When the limit switches 28 and 38 onthe conveyor frame opposite that unloader are closed a relay circuit similarto the one above referred to including the control valve a is energized.

'I will now describe therelay circuit employed in c0njunction with the loader with the aid of the diagram showninFigure10. i

42b denotes a limit switch mounted on the table 42 and adapted to beclosed by awdrkpieceQE resting upon the latter. When the limit switches 42b, 30 and 38 are closed asolenoid in the control valve 50 is energized and fluid underpressure flows therethrough from the line 53 into the cylinder 43 through the line 52. The

slide 45 is then advanced across the conveyor. When the slid e reaches its forward limit of travel the trip 54 actuates the limit switch 56 thereby energizing a circuit. relay 61 and releasing the solenoid 60so that the spring a return in the [control valve operates to connect the line 53" with the line 51. The slide isthen movedback from the conveyor and the pressure in the cylinder retains the slide at its inward positionuntil the limit switches 42b,

30 and 38 are again actuated.

For unloading, the limit switches 28 and 38 are closed to energizethe solenoid 60a in the control valve 50a whereby the lines 153a and 51a= are. connected and the slide 45a is advancedacross. theconveyor. When the slide reaches its forward limit of travel it actuates the limitswitch 56a and energizes. a circuit relay 61a whereby thesolenoidis cut out and the spring return in the *Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 12to* 16,inclusive, designates longitudinal guide.

means, consisting in this case of an I-beam monorail,

whieh is dependingly supported at spaced intervals by:

transversebeams one of which is shown at 72;:the opposite extremities of the beams are secured to frame members 73. .A conventional endless chain 74, driven by;

any suitable means not shown, is provided at spaced intervals with vertically aligned upper and lower tongues,

75and 76, one pair of which is shown. Secured to opposite sides of each upper tongue 75 and projecting above the latter are brackets 77 inwardly from which horizontally aligned pins 78 project having rollers 79,

mounted thereon which are adapted to travel along oppo'site sides of the guide means 1. Mounted oneach lower tongue 76 and pivotally supported thereby iswa carrier 80 which normally projects downwardly and forwardly therefrom with its upper face in contact with the underside of the chain 74. Thus when the chain 74 and the carriers 80 are moved to the left, Figure 12, resistanceolfered by the latch 89, hereinafter referredto, against a carrier holds lIhGylfittGl' immovable against the chain However when not. soengaged the carriers are freeto be'turned in a clockwise direction about their pivot axes 80a, as by a latch being moved to theleft, Figure 12, past some of the carriers. a

Mounted on the inner faces of the frame members 73 parallelwith the guide means 70 and below the latter arejspaced, parallel tracks 81, shown in the form of channel members, along which pallets 82 are adapted totravel. Since all the pallets are the same I will now describeone of them.

f Extending across opposite extremities of the pallet 82 are front and rear plates 84 inwardly from which pads 85 extend to limit longitudinal movement of workpieces Ewhich rest on wear strips 86 extending transversely of -P t. Proj t n pward y an lon tudmafly H time the locator by engagement with the opposed inner 'wardly from both extremities of the plates 84 are arms. 87. Rotatably mounted in the 87 and extending between transversely opposed pairs thereof are front and rear axles 88 having wheels 88a thereon which "are. adapted to travel along the tracks 81. Supported also for rotation on the front axle 88 is the latch 89.0ne extremity of which normally extends vertically upward for engagement by one of the carriers 80 which then pushes the pallet along the tracks 81. Provided on and. integral with the opposite extremity of the. latch 89 is a substantially segmental portion. 89a which is heavier than its carrier engaging portion and therefore normally hangs downward. Formed across the segmental portion from its arcuate face is a slot 90 adapted torecei-ve a dog 91which projects upwardly from a lever 92 hereinafter described. By the dog 91 the latch 89 is adaptedlto be held against rotation so that itremains immovable rela tive to its pallet as the latter is pushed along .by one of the carriers 80. l l

A shaft 93 parallel with the axles 88, is rotatably supported by and between the front plates 84, substantially beneaththe front axle; and keyedon the shaft 93 is a lever 92 so that its dog 91 is moved into position to engage or disengage the slot 90 upon rotation of the said .shaft. When the lever is so turned that its dog is disengaged the pallet remains stationary while the chain and its carriers continue their travel. The front extremity of the lever 92 projects forwardly beyond its pallet and is upwardly and forwardly inclined. As a pallet approaches 1 a stationary pallet infront of it, the lever 92 on the following pallet is engaged by the rear plate 84 on the stopped pallet and is turned thereby to its position indicated at 92'. Then the dog on the following pallet is released from its slot 90 and the latch 89 is free to be; turned about its axis by passing carriers as the pallet re mains stationary. Between the shaft 93 and=asecond1 downwardly and outwardly inclined. The plate94 is supported adjacent its opposite extremities on springs 95 the lower extremities of which rest upon an arm. 96. Ex-. tending horizontally through both the plate 94 and the arm 96 between the springs 95 is apivot pin 97. The actuating plate is adapted to be depressed by inward movement of alocator 24 to disengage the dog 91 from its.

latch in a manner hereinafter described; and at the same faces of the wear strips 86 positions the pallet as above set forth.

The oppositeextremity of the arm 96 is pivotally connected by a pin 98 to the lower extremity of a link so that upon downward movement of the actuating plate the link is raised as the"armfiturnswabout a pin 96a extending from the pallet. The upper extremity of the link 99 is.

pivoted at 100 to one extremityof an arm 101 the opposite upward movement of the link 99 the lever 92, which is also keyed on the shaft 93, isturned to its position 92, thereby releasing its dog 91 from the slot 90 in the latch 89. a

Extending longitudinally from the underside of each [09 having rollers 108 mounted thereon to engage oppofl site sides of the ribs 105 of pallets and hold them against material transverse movement when they arebeing loaded or unloaded. i

It understood that in conjunction with the embodimen-t shown in Figines 12 to l 631 inclusive, trips: as shownatl2 fi' and37 maybe employed for actuating limit. switches as shown'at: 28 30 and' 38 'on= the; conveyor:.frame; in. Figures '6 and 7, and? completingcircuits for reciprocating the locators" 242. r

-While inl the foregoing the; preferred: embodiments of the 'inventionxhavebeenidescribedzand shown, it is under-- stood that. furtherxalteratioris andmodifications may be made theret'mprovided they fall" within the scope of the appendediclaims.

i Whattwe claisr'nis:

I 1'.. A1 free pallet: conveyor includingan endless travellingz chain ,2v longitudinal guide means for supporting the chaini'forl movementtherealong, carriers projecting-at spaced; intervals from the'chain, tracks rnounjted in spaced relation. to: the guide' means; pallets? adapted to: be: advanced: along;- the -tracks,, latches pivoted; on the. pallets aboutv axes extending tran'sversely thereof, said latches being adapted to be engaged by the carriers-whereby;- the-- palletsare advanced along the tracks, releasable 1 means inuludingzlevers pivoted on: the pallets about axesparallel with."- the; latch .axes 'for' retaining said latches intheir carrier; engaging positions; said levers being; so pivoted thaethey tendlto :return the releasablemeans to their latchv engagingrpositionsqand said .latchesbeing so pivoted that they; tend'itosreturn to their. carrier engaging positionsa.

" 2: free, pallet conveyor chainpguide means for supporting-the i chain for moye rn'ent carriers mounted-oniandprojecting at? spaced intervalsifrom theuchain, tracks mounted in spaced relationto:the: guide meansgpalletsadaptedto be advanced along 1- the. tIZCkS,\a 1ZtCh1 shiftablymounted on eachpallet for whereby tliezlath cooperateswith-a carrier to :movea pallettalongzsaid tracks-,1. and;.said-' releasable means having apart-jxengageable by said' pallet; locatonwhen a pallet reachesithe loading station whereby shifting of. the l 'ocatore therretra'cted to theextendedposition actuatestheirel'easablez means-to 'unloclcthe latc-h. 1 v35. Axfree pallet conveyor including atravelling chain longitudinal?guidevmeansr for supporting. the chain for. movement: therealong, carriers= mounted on and projecting atispacedxintervalis fromv the chain,-,.trac ks1 mounted in'Jsp aced relation to "the guide means, pallets adapted to be: advanced along the tracks; a latch shiftably mounted onteaeh :pallet=. fort engagement by; the carriers.- and Shiit able by successive carriers out of the path thereof, and releasable: means on each;pa1let and .including- ,a-part for engagingthe latchiwhen the. same. is in a'gcarrier' engaging position i and i retaining it. against. said shi-ftalble moyemenh byifi: carrier .wherebyithe'pallet may he advancedby; one ofthtecatriers... c 2 14*. The 1 combination inclaim 3, wherein. the latch.

for use yvithra' load handling station; having a; pallet locator shiftable. from a position a retracted: fromiaapalletaat the 'stationito a-positionextend I ed :adjacent: a palletzat.the;station comprisingz a traveling,

sori'weighted that itrre sumes th'ecarrier.engaging position foLll wing eachashiftin'gtbya carrier. out. of. the-fpath of caifierrmovernent; and .-the.re'leasable means is; so weightedthat it'ftendsitoare-assume'.the latch engaging positionw 5. The combination in claim 3, wherein thecarr area pivotally-rmounted}onthevchain, said carriers. -being so' shapedt'. that they are adapt ed tor be he ldiirnrnoyable relative: to andv against the; chain by the. latches: on the; pallt si when the: chain advances. relative tothe pallets and pivotable.:. out of; the patlrof: the latches i when the palletsi andz chain movei: relativetoeach other; in. the oppositeidirectiomt M p p I 1 .63; A: freet'pallet' conveyor: including atrtwelling ;c ha in, longitudinal: I guide means fon. supporting v the for movement therealong, carriers secured to and projecting athspjaeed intervals f romgthe. chain, tracks mounted. in

spaced relation to the guide means, pallets "adapted to pallet andincluding a pivoted partafor, locking; the late infitscarrierengaging positionz 57: Thercombination inclaim' 6, witc es supported atdifierent heights relativefand in spaced rel tion to the tracks, support means 'OIlKfiZiCh- PQHELQRQD ,which a workpiece is adapted to; -rest', a; trip pivoted -on eachzpallet' and projecting outwardly therefrom, the innep; extremity of the trip normally projecting aboyei said sup z port means and itsouter extremity beitigaxiatited toiengagefthe'lower limit" switches, the, inner extremity; Qfgth ,1 trip -being adapted to be depressedby aworhpiecegon support: meanswhereby-; its outer extremity is ;r aise; i; to actuate the highernlimit switche'sn'each lever having I inclined-camming face-thereon; locato'rsmounted for ciprocationn-at:right angles to: the; tracks adapted to err-y gage the carn'ming faces" and actuate the latch releasingt. meansmn the pallets, ,e1ectrical meansdnclutling a r circuit; for reciprocating: eac'h lo'cator each circuit neluding: one: ofzthes lim'it switches-whereby each; load -1 pallet is: adapted: to: 'be' stopped by"sc r1'1e 015- the; locatorsz; and? each v empty-pallet is adapted to be? stopped bx theg other locators; and each limit switchrbeingipositioned tq complete a circuit when a pallet is-oppbsite thedocaton; connected'thereto.- I .1 I

1" 1 8E 'Fhefcombinationin claim6, includinga-postmounk ed} omeachs. pallet,; az-verticallyg" adjustable trip? on p'o'st, supports: mounted adjacentand-gin spaced relat on toithet't'r'acks; a limit switch mounted-tor vertical; adjust i mcnt' on: each suppoi't, vthe tripsbeing "adapted to; some of therlimitzswitches; each leverjhavinggan carrrming face thereon, locators 'mounteddor recip roca tion at rightangles-rtnthe trackswengage the :cammfingg facesianrt actuate-the latch releasing; means on the, pallets electrical:- means 5 including i a relay circuit form'eciprogat in'g each locator, and eachcircuit including one. of the limitiswitches, each switch being positionedrelative tqathg; locatorl'int itsrcircuit whereby 'the' circuit is i adapted torbe closedfwhen apallet is opposite-said locaton. 9; The combination in claim 6; including afprojec n oni e'a'chf pallet adapted to turnythepivoted parton an: approaching! pallenand actuate" the releasablegmeans thereon whereupon the latch on the'approachingi allet; is f'r'ee ito? be i turned: about its axis by: the carrie 1 0.1A free pallet"conveyor including a travellinggcha longitudinal? guide means for supporting. thegchain;for movement therealong, carriers securedto and project at 1 spaced. intervals from: the chain, tracks: mounte.

spaced relat'ion'to the; guide :means'; )pallets adapted; (p -be advanced alongathe tracks; a'latch pivotedon each pallet for "engagement by one carrier whereby "the-pallet is-;agl;' vance dfi alongi'thet' tracks, releasable means including, a; leverpivotedon'iea'ch pallet for retaining the latch thereon" in its carrier: engaging position, limit switcheswsupported; at differentlheiglitsirelative and in spaced relation-to. thetraclcsysupportrneansr on each pallet uponwhich a.;worlt; piece iisfiadapted to 'rest', artrip pivoted on eachpallegand; projecting outwardly therefrom; the" inner-extremity; the-(trip normallyv projecting above saidsupport means a'nd it's outer extremity. adapted to engage the; lower lim t switches, the inner extremity of: thie trip, being adaptedto be depressed:. by a workpiece'cn? the: suppothmeins whereby 'its o uter". extremity is'raisedto actuate 3th higher tswitch'es, each lever having :an inclined cammingface the: on; :I'o'ca-tors" mounted!for-reciprocation at right anglesto' the :tracks'iadaptedito engage thecamm facesand actuate the latch releasing means onthe pallets; trical 1 means? including a" relay. circuit: for.- reciprocating j cator,-'eacl1'i circuit includingone of the limit fsw'i lie' 'wh'e'reby eac'lr load'edlz pallet is adapted to; be St p by some of the locators and each empttapallt i's adaptedto be stopped bythe other locators, ;ande each limit switch being positioned to complete a circuit when a pallet is opposite the locator connected thereto.

11. A free pallet conveyor including a travelling chain, longitudinal guide means for supporting the chain for movement therealong, carriers secured to and projecting at spaced intervals from the chain, tracks mounted in spaced relation to the guide means, pallets adapted to be advanced along the tracks, a latch pivoted on each pallet for engagement by one carrier whereby the pallet is advanced along the tracks, releasable means including a lever pivoted on each pallet for retaining the latch thereon in its carrier engaging position, a post mounted on each pallet, a vertically adjustabe trip on each post, supports mounted adjacent and in spaced relation to the tracks, a limit switch mounted for vertical adjustment on each support, the trips being adapted to actuate some of the limit switches, each lever having an inclined camming face thereon, locators mounted for reciprocation at right angles to the tracks to engage the camming faces and actuate the latch releasing means on the pallets, electrical means including a relay circuit for reciprocating each locator, and each circuit including one of the limit switches, each switch being positioned relative to the locator in its circuit whereby the circuit is adapted to be closed when a pallet is opposite said locator.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,326,949 Meehan Jan. 6, 1920 1,706,211 Coffey Mar. 19, 1929 1,819,017 Drake Aug. 18, 1931 2,101,353 Waalkes Dec. 7, 1937 2,132,455 Bishop Oct. 11, 1938 2,572,011 Cohen et a1. Oct. 23, 1951 2,619,370 Leger Nov. 25, 1952 2,619,916 Rainier Dec. 2, 1952 2,812,724 King Nov. 12, 1957 

